MORNING DEW
DATE: TUESDAY 14TH DECEMBER, 2021
THEME: NO GOSSIPER WILL INHERIT GOD’S KINGDOM
TEXT: 1 SAMUEL 22:6-10
6 When Saul heard that David and the men who were with him had been found, he was sitting in Gibeah, under the tamarisk tree on the hill, with his spear in his hand. All his officials were standing around him.
7 Saul told his officials who were standing around him, “Listen, men of Benjamin! Will Jesse’s son also give fields and vineyards to all of you? Will he make all of you officers over thousands and officers over hundreds?
8 But all of you have conspired against me, and no one tells me about my son’s covenant with Jesse’s son. None of you feels sorry for me and tells me that my son has stirred up my servant against me to lie in wait, as he’s doing this day.”
9 Then Doeg the Edomite, who was in charge of Saul’s servants answered: “I saw Jesse’s son coming to Nob to Ahitub’s son Ahimelech.
10 Ahimelech inquired of the LORD for him, gave him provisions, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.”
DOEG THE GOSSIPER
When David ran to Ahimelech the priest at Nob, the Doeg who was an official of king Saul was there.
“Now, Doeg the Edomite, one of Saul’s officials, was there that day, detained in the LORD’s presence. He was the chief of Saul’s shepherds.” (1 Samuel 21:7).
King Saul, however, intensified his search for David. This time he was sitting in Gibeah, under the tamarisk tree on the hill, with his spear in his hand, ready to strike David if sighted.
When king Saul was minding his own business, the Doeg, one of his officials who saw David with Ahimelech the priest told him:
“… I saw Jesse’s son coming to Nob to Ahitub’s son Ahimelech. Ahimelech inquired of the LORD for him, gave him provisions, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.” (1 Samuel 22:9-10).
Now, you tell me; who asked the Edomite whereabout of David?
Saul did not ask him. None of Saul’s officials asked him. He wanted to please his master. He wanted his master to love him more than his colleagues.
Gossipers, is there any hope for such people?
WHO IS A GOSSIPER?
The Hebrew word translated “gossip” in the Old Testament is defined as “one who reveals secrets, one who goes about as a talebearer or scandal-monger.”
A gossiper is a person who has privileged information about people and proceeds to reveal that information to those who have no business knowing it.
Gossip is distinguished from sharing information in two ways:
- INTENT
Gossipers often have the goal of building themselves up by making others look bad and exalting themselves as some kind of repositories of knowledge.
- THE TYPE OF INFORMATION SHARED
Gossipers speak of the faults and failings of others, or reveal potentially embarrassing or shameful details regarding the lives of others without their knowledge or approval. Even if they mean no harm, it is still gossip.
THE BIBLE AND GOSSIP
In the book of Romans, Paul reveals the sinful nature and lawlessness of mankind, stating how God poured out His wrath on those who rejected His laws. Because they had turned away from God’s instruction and guidance, He gave them over to their sinful natures. The list of sins includes gossips and slanderers (Romans 1:29b-32).
We see from this passage how serious the sin of gossip is and that it characterizes those who are under God’s wrath.
Another group who were (and still are today) known for indulging in gossip is widows. Paul cautions widows against entertaining the habit of gossip and of being idle. These women are described as “gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to” (1 Timothy 5:12-13).
Because women tend to spend a lot of time in each other’s homes and work closely with other women, they hear and observe situations which can become distorted, especially when repeated over and over. Paul states that widows get into the habit of going from home to home, looking for something to occupy their idleness. Idle hands are the devil’s workshop, and God cautions against allowing idleness to enter our lives.
“A gossip betrays confidence; so avoid a man or woman who talks too much.” (Proverbs 20:19).
Women are certainly not the only ones who have been found guilty of gossip. Anyone can engage in gossip simply by repeating something heard in confidence. The book of Proverbs has a long list of verses that cover the dangers of gossip and the potential hurt that results from it.
“A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue. A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.” (Proverbs 11:12-13).
The Bible tells us that:
“A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends” (Proverbs 16:28).
Many friendships have been ruined over a misunderstanding that started with gossip. Those who engage in this behaviours do nothing but stir up trouble and cause anger, bitterness, and pain among friends.
Sadly, some people thrive on this and look for opportunities to destroy others. And when such people are confronted, they deny the allegations and answer with excuses and rationalizations. Rather than admit wrongdoing, they blame someone else or attempt to minimize the seriousness of the sin.
“A fool’s mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul. The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts.” (Proverbs 18:7-8).
“Those who guard their tongues keep themselves from calamity.” (Proverbs 21:23).
So we must guard our tongues and refrain from the sinful act of gossip. If we surrender our natural desires to the Lord, He will help us to remain righteous. May we all follow the Bible’s teaching on gossip by keeping our mouths shut unless it is necessary and appropriate to speak.
Meaning all gossipers are the candidates of Hell Fire.
Watch it friend!
MEDITATION
“Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.” (Proverbs 21:23).
PRAYER
I have come Lord, ready to do away with gossip, help me Holy Spirit,
Amen!
Author: Rev. John Wundengba
Miracle Centre A/G, Kugadoone, Bolga-Soe
WhatsApp: 020 9 422 159
Facebook: @MorningDew
